Obama calls for U.S. military surge and timed withdrawal in Afghanistan
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President Obama today called for redefining the United States role in Afghanistan by sending 30,000 troops to fight the more than eight-year war but insisted the surge would allow the withdrawal of fighting forces by July 2011.
After three months of deliberation, Obama is scheduled to explain his policy tonight in an address to the nation from the military academy at West Point. The White House released excerpts of the speech this afternoon.
In effect, Obama will argue that a rapid deployment of more forces will allow the United States to fight terrorism while allowing a quicker departure. Politically, Obama was walking a fine line between those pushing for the military surge and some liberals in his own party who wanted a early withdrawal.
“The 30,000 additional troops that I am announcing tonight will deploy in the first part of 2010 – the fastest pace possible – so that they can target the insurgency and secure key population centers. They will increase our ability to train competent Afghan Security Forces, and to partner with them so that more Afghans can get into the fight. And they will help create the conditions for the United States to transfer responsibility to the Afghans,” Obama was expected to say, according to excerpts.
The United States has about 68,000 troops committed to Afghanistan, so the surge will bring the number up to nearly 100,000. In addition NATO and other allies have about 40,000 troops committed and Obama is seeking more.
“Because this is an international effort, I have asked that our commitment be joined by contributions from our allies,” Obama will say. “Some have already provided additional troops, and we are confident that there will be further contributions in the days and weeks ahead. Our friends have fought and bled and died alongside us in Afghanistan. Now, we must come together to end this war successfully. For what’s at stake is not simply a test of NATO’s credibility -- what’s at stake is the security of our Allies, and the common security of the world.
“Taken together, these additional American and international troops will allow us to accelerate handing over responsibility to Afghan forces, and allow us to begin the transfer of our forces out of Afghanistan in July 2011.
“Just as we have done in Iraq, we will execute this transition responsibly, taking into account conditions on the ground. We will continue to advise and assist Afghanistan’s Security Forces to ensure that they can succeed over the long haul. But it will be clear to the Afghan government -- and, more importantly, to the Afghan people -- that they will ultimately be responsible for their own country,” Obama will say.
Tonight’s speech was designed to sell Obama’s new policy to the American people, which polls show are increasingly nervous about how Obama is handling Afghanistan. A survey by the Gallup organization, released today, showed only 35% of Americans approve of Obama’s handling of the war while 55% disapprove.
In addition to selling his policy to Americans, Obama has spent the past days selling his policy to foreign leaders.
According to the White House, Obama spoke with Afghan President Hamid Karzai for an hour about the new policy.
“The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to work closely together to ensure stability in Afghanistan and to prevent the country from becoming a safe haven for terrorists. They also discussed a range of related issues, including security, governance, corruption, economic development and regional relations,” according to the White House.
In addition to the military issues, the leaders discussed civil problems.
“Both presidents agreed to redouble their efforts to improve the delivery of services to the Afghan people, particularly at the local level, and to reinvigorate economic development and investment, especially in the areas of agriculture, mining, water management and energy,” the White House said.
Obama also spoke with Pakistani President Asif Zardari by telephone this morning.
“The two presidents agreed that the close partnership between Pakistan and the United States is vital to success, and President Obama promised to continue to assist Pakistan in its efforts against extremists,” the White House said.
--Michael Muskal
